On the other hand, pigeons can leave an unsightly mess in areas where they congregate; their droppings can present some health risks, although the threat has been exaggerated. Perhaps the whole reason why we treat feral pigeons with such disdain is because they are so conspicuous in their ability to flourish and succeed in spite of, or rather, because of us. In a time when 12% of bird species are thought to be globally threatened, the rock pigeon is 1 of those that is at no risk of becoming endangered. It does so well in our urban landscapes, filling an empty niche in a barren habitat inhospitable to most other birds. Perhaps we dislike pigeons so much because like rats, cockroaches, and houseflies, they have proven themselves all too capable of living in our midst.

Personally, I for one would find it really thrilling if our feral pigeon population helped attract peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) to settle and breed in urban Singapore. Our peregrine falcons are mostly migrants from the subspecies japonensis, which breeds in temperate Asia. There is an increasing number of sightings in urban areas, and it is likely that not only do the buildings provide excellent roosting sites and vantage points to look for prey, but the high population of birds such as feral pigeons and mynas (Acridotheres sp.) is almost definitely another draw.

Besides the migrants, there are also occasional records of peregrine falcons in the non-winter months. These are suspected to be wanderers belonging to the Southeast Asian race ernesti, of which there are resident breeding populations in Malaysia. So far, these falcons do not seem to linger for very long, although I harbour a stronge hope that one day, these falcons will eventually establish breeding populations here in Singapore, and add another very interesting element to our urban avifauna.